Customizable Grips for Golf Clubs and Baseball Bats

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides example apparatus and methods for personalizing a grip of an implement. The apparatus includes: (a) a base layer having a first side and a second side, (b) a middle layer having a first side and a second side, where the first side of the middle layer is coupled to the second side of the base layer, where the middle layer comprises a moldable material configured to have a compressed position that is contoured to a portion of one or more hands of a user in response to an applied pressure, where the middle layer is configured to harden in the compressed position in the presence of air, and (c) an outer layer having a first side and a second side, where the first side of the outer layer is removably coupled to the second side of the middle layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional application that claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/304,829, filed on Jan. 31, 2023, that is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Grips on common implements such as baseball bats and golf clubs offer a smooth, non-contoured gripping surface. During the process of swinging, a user's preferred grip may slip out of position or a user may subconsciously shift to a less desirable hand position. This change in grip may result in a less desirable swing outcome.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, an example apparatus is disclosed for personalizing a grip of an implement. The apparatus includes (a) a base layer having a first side and a second side, (b) a middle layer having a first side and a second side, where the first side of the middle layer is coupled to the second side of the base layer, wherein the middle layer comprises a moldable material configured to have a compressed position that is contoured to a portion of one or more hands of a user in response to an applied pressure, where the middle layer is configured to harden in the compressed position in the presence of air, and (c) an outer layer having a first side and a second side, where the first side of the outer layer is removably coupled to the second side of the middle layer.

In a second aspect, an example method is disclosed for personalizing a grip. The method includes (a) applying the apparatus according to the first aspect of the disclosure to the implement, (b) applying a pressure to the middle layer, via at least the portion of the one or more hands of the user, and thereby causing the moldable material to have the compressed position that is contoured to the portion of the one or more hands of the user, and (c) removing the outer layer from the middle layer thereby exposing the middle layer to the air and causing the middle layer to harden in the compressed position.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus in an example implementation in the form of a rollable sheet;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the apparatus in a compressed position on a grip of an implement in an example implementation in the form of a sheath;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus in the form of a rollable sheet prior to application to the grip of an implement in an example implementation; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method, according to an example implementation.

The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating examples, but it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus that advantageously permits a customizable grip for various implements including baseball bats and golf clubs. Specifically, the grip portion may be molded and/or formed to include indentations corresponding to fingers to properly align a user's hands and restrict rotation of their hands during a swing. The compressed position of the apparatus for a personalized grip provides a physical stop or abutment that prevents the user's hands from rotating beyond a certain point. The thickness of the middle layer may have the technical effect of creating a physical stop or abutment in the compressed position that is configured to prevent a user's hands from rotation out of the grip channels. The physical stop or abutment has the technical effect of preventing an initial grip from changing position but does not inhibit the hand and muscle movement or function throughout the entirety of the swing. Maintaining the correct grip throughout the swing of a golf club or baseball bat, for example, may result in a user feeling more relaxed and comfortable. Being relaxed and comfortable in turn increases confidence visualizing your shot and advancing through a swing routine. Increased confidence improves the odds of taking a quality swing and may ultimately increase consistency of the swing.

Another advantage is to accommodate a growth or a protrusion on a palm, finger, or thumb of the user's hand in the compressed position. For example, Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of the hand at the base of the fingers. This thickened area may develop into a hard lump or thick band. The thickness of the middle layer may have the technical effect of creating a cavity in the apparatus in the compressed position to relieve pressure in and around the growth or protrusion while gripping the apparatus on the implement. In one optional implementation, the user's hands may include prosthetics.

In a first aspect, shown in FIGS. 1-3 , an apparatus 100 for personalizing a grip of an implement 101 includes a base layer 105 having a first side 106 and a second side 107. The apparatus has a middle layer 110 having a first side 111 and a second side 112. The first side 111 of the middle layer 110 is coupled to the second side 107 of the base layer 105. The middle layer 110 includes a moldable material 113 configured to have a compressed position 114 that is contoured to a portion of one or more hands of a user in response to an applied pressure. The middle layer 110 is configured to harden in the compressed position 114 in the presence of air. The apparatus 100 also has an outer layer 115 having a first side 116 and a second side 117. The first side 116 of the outer layer 115 is removably coupled to the second side 112 of the middle layer 110.

In one optional embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the apparatus 100 includes a plurality of alignment indicators 120 coupled to the outer layer 115 and configured to correspond with a first position 125 for a left hand and a right hand of the user. In a further optional implementation, the first position 125 corresponds to the personalized grip for the implement 101, such as a golf club, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet, or a hockey stick. The personalized grip in FIG. 3 corresponds to a grip for a golf club.

In one optional implementation, the middle layer 110 has a thickness in an uncompressed position ranging from 4 mm to 11 mm such that the left hand and the right hand of the user are prevented from rotating out of the first position 125 during a swing. In a further optional implementation shown in FIG. 2 , the middle layer 110 forms a physical stop or an abutment 130 in the compressed position 114 that is configured to prevent a user's hands from rotation out of the first position 125.

In one optional implementation, the apparatus 100 includes at least one alignment indicator 121 coupled to the outer layer 115 and configured to correspond with a second position for the portion of at least one hand of the user. In a further optional implementation, the second position corresponds to the personalized grip for the implement, where the implement includes a fork, a spoon, a knife, a spatula, a scalpel, forceps, a hammer, a screwdriver, a handgun, or a pool cue.

In one optional implementation, the middle layer 110 has a thickness ranging from 7 mm to 15 mm such that the portion of at least one hand of the user is retained in the first position 125 during use. In an alternative implementation, the middle layer 110 has a thickness ranging from 4 mm to 21 mm to accommodate a growth or a protrusion on at least one of a palm, a finger, and a thumb of the user's hand in the compressed position 114.

In one optional implementation, the moldable material of the middle layer 110 includes a viscoelastic liquid silicone or a rubber memory foam. In alternative implementations, The middle layer 110 of the apparatus 100 may be constructed from a formable material such as, for example, polyethylene, silly putty (i.e., a material containing a viscoelastic liquid silicone), a modeling clay (e.g., play-doh), or other flexible, moldable materials. Such a material may be initially moldable but will eventually harden into the desired shape in the presence of air.

In one optional implementation, as shown in FIG. 3 , the base layer 105, the middle layer 110, and the outer layer 115 are arranged in a rollable sheet. In a further implementation, shown in FIG. 1 , the apparatus 100 includes a backing 135 removably coupled to the first side 106 of the base layer 105, and the first side 106 of the base layer 105 is coated with an adhesive 140. In another optional implementation, at least one of the outer layer 115 and the backing 135 have a plurality of spaced apart markings 136 configured to act as a sizing guide for the personalized grip. A user may, for example, cut along one or more of the spaced apart markings to accommodate different hand sizes and such that the ends of the rollable sheet mate together when applied to the implement 101 and do not overlap.

In an alternative implementation shown in FIG. 2 , the base layer 105, the middle layer 110, and the outer layer 115 are arranged as a flexible sheath. The flexible sheath is tubular in nature with at least one open end to slide onto the implement 101. In example implementations, the sheath may have two openings at opposing ends or may have a single opening at one end and a closed opposing end. One or more of the back and outer layers 115 may also cover any edges of the middle layer 110 in the rollable sheet arrangement and may also cover any edges of the middle layer 110 at the respective end or ends of the flexible sheath arrangement. The foregoing covering of the edges prevents the middle layer 110 from hardening prematurely.

In one example implementation, the outer layer 115 could be configured as packaging, like a plastic wrapper, or may be a coated paper, such as wax paper.

In one optional implementation, the first side 106 of the base layer 105 is configured for frictional engagement with the implement, such as a golf club or a baseball bat. In another optional implementation, at least one of the middle layer 110 and the base layer 105 are configured for shock absorption.

The apparatus for a personalized grip may be used on various implementations that typically require a two-handed grip, including, but not limited to, a golf club, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet, or a hockey stick. Alternatively, the personalized grip may be utilized with implementations that require a single-handed grip, including, but not limited to, a fork, a spoon, a knife, a scalpel, a hammer, a screwdriver, or a pool cue.

In certain studies, the average diameter, calculated from the girth measurement, has been recorded as 16 (11-22) mm for the thumb, 15 mm for both the index (9-22) and middle (10-21) fingers, 14 (10-20) and 13 (8-19) mm for the ring and little fingers, respectively. The grip has corresponding thickness that aids in maintaining a confident grip throughout the entire swing but the thickness of the grip avoids imposing on hand, finger, and wrist movement throughout the entire swing.

In one optional implementation, the base layer may include a low-chloride gel adhesive.

In another optional implementation, shock absorption may be provided by at least one of the middle layer and the base layer.

In one optional implementation, the plurality of alignment indicators may include a contrasting color relative to the outer layer and/or middle layer.

In operation, a user applies the apparatus to an implement, applies pressure to the apparatus (e.g., squeezes the implement with an appropriate grip), holds or maintains the grip for a period of time, releases the grip, peels or removes the outer layer from the middle layer, and allows the apparatus to air dry. The result is a personalized group/indentation on the apparatus disposed on the implement.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a method 200 is illustrated using the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 for personalizing a grip. Method 200 includes, at block 205, applying the apparatus 100 to the implement 101. Then, at block 210, a pressure is applied to the middle layer 110, via at least the portion of the one or more hands of the user, and thereby causes the moldable material to have the compressed position 114 that is contoured to the portion of the one or more hands of the user. Next, at block 215, the outer layer is removed from the middle layer 110 thereby exposing the middle layer 110 to the air and causing the middle layer 110 to harden in the compressed position 114.

In one optional implementation, the method 200 further includes, prior to applying the pressure to the middle layer 110, aligning a left hand and a right hand of the user in a first position 125 on the grip in alignment with a plurality of alignment indicators 120 coupled to the outer layer 115. The first position 125 corresponds to the personalized grip for the implement 101, and the implement 101 is a golf club, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet, or a hockey stick.

In one optional implementation, the method 200 further includes, prior to applying the pressure to the middle layer 110, aligning the portion of at least one hand of the user in a second position on the grip in alignment with at least one alignment indicator coupled to the outer layer 115. The second position corresponds to the personalized grip for and the implement 101, and the implement is a fork, a spoon, a knife, a spatula, a scalpel, forceps, a hammer, a screwdriver, a handgun, or a pool cue.

In one optional implementation, the base layer 105, the middle layer 110, and the outer layer 115 are arranged in a rollable sheet shown in FIG. 3 . Here a backing 135 is removably coupled to the first side 106 of the base layer 105, where the first side 106 of the base layer 105 is coated with an adhesive 140. In this example implementation, applying the apparatus 100 to the implement 101 includes removing the backing 135 from the base layer 105. Then, the adhesive 140 is placed in contact with a gripping area of the implement 101 and the apparatus 100 is wrapped around the gripping area.

In a further optional implementation, at least one of the outer layer 115 and the backing 135 have a plurality of spaced apart markings 136. Here, the method further includes cutting along at least one of the plurality of the spaced apart markings 136 thereby sizing the apparatus 100 to fit the gripping area of the implement 101.

In one optional implementation, the base layer 105, the middle layer 110, and the outer layer 115 are arranged as a flexible sheath shown in FIG. 2 . In this example implementation, applying the apparatus 100 to the implement 101 includes sliding the sheath over an end and onto a gripping area of the implement 101.

Another aspect of the disclosure involves an approach for positioning the moldable grip over the end of the bat, which may have a knob having a wider radius than the remainder of the bat. In this new approach, a flexible base layer in the form of a sheath is capable of stretching and/or elongating and may be unrolled to cover a suitable length of the gripping area of the bat. Next, the moldable material of the middle layer may be applied to the outer surface of the flexible base layer. Then, a flexible outer layer may then be rolled over the moldable material of the middle layer to enclose the moldable material between the flexible base and the outer layers of the flexible barriers. The flexible outer layer may act as a barrier and maintain the middle layer in a moist and/or moldable condition until the outer layer is removed to allow the moldable grip to harden. A user may then grip the bat with the right and left hands arranged in the desired position and apply pressure to create the mold, and subsequently allow the mold to solidify. Such a configuration may provide a temporary grip that can be removed from the bat.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the following claims including all equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention. 

1. An apparatus for personalizing a grip of an implement, comprising: a base layer having a first side and a second side; a middle layer having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the middle layer is coupled to the second side of the base layer, wherein the middle layer comprises a moldable material configured to have a compressed position that is contoured to a portion of one or more hands of a user in response to an applied pressure, wherein the middle layer is configured to harden in the compressed position in the presence of air; and an outer layer having a first side and a second side, where the first side of the outer layer is removably coupled to the second side of the middle layer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of alignment indicators coupled to the outer layer and configured to correspond with a first position for a left hand and a right hand of the user.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first position corresponds to the personalized grip for the implement, the implement comprising a golf club, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet, or a hockey stick.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the middle layer has a thickness in an uncompressed position ranging from 4 mm to 11 mm such that the left hand and the right hand of the user are prevented from rotating out of the first position during a swing.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the middle layer forms a physical stop or an abutment in the compressed position that is configured to prevent a user's hands from rotation out of the first position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one alignment indicator coupled to the outer layer and configured to correspond with a second position for the portion of at least one hand of the user.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the middle layer has a thickness ranging from 7 mm to 15 mm such that the portion of at least one hand of the user is retained in the first position during use.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the middle layer has a thickness ranging from 4 mm to 21 mm to accommodate a growth or a protrusion on at least one of a palm, a finger, and a thumb of the user's hand in the compressed position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moldable material of the middle layer comprises a viscoelastic liquid silicone or a rubber memory foam.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base layer, the middle layer, and the outer layer are arranged in a rollable sheet.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a backing removably coupled to the first side of the base layer, wherein the first side of the base layer is coated with an adhesive.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the outer layer and the backing have a plurality of spaced apart markings configured to act as a sizing guide for the personalized grip.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base layer, the middle layer, and the outer layer are arranged as a flexible sheath.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first side of the base layer is configured for frictional engagement with the golf club or the baseball bat.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the middle layer and the base layer are configured for shock absorption.
 16. A method for personalizing a grip, the method comprising: applying the apparatus of claim 1 to the implement; applying a pressure to the middle layer, via at least the portion of the one or more hands of the user, and thereby causing the moldable material to have the compressed position that is contoured to the portion of the one or more hands of the user; and removing the outer layer from the middle layer thereby exposing the middle layer to the air and causing the middle layer to harden in the compressed position.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: prior to applying the pressure to the middle layer, aligning a left hand and a right hand of the user in a first position on the grip in alignment with a plurality of alignment indicators coupled to the outer layer, wherein the first position corresponds to the personalized grip for the implement, and the implement comprising a golf club, a baseball bat, a tennis racquet, or a hockey stick.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the base layer, the middle layer, and the outer layer are arranged in a rollable sheet, wherein a backing is removably coupled to the first side of the base layer, wherein the first side of the base layer is coated with an adhesive, wherein applying the apparatus to the implement comprises: removing the backing from the base layer; and placing the adhesive in contact with a gripping area of the implement and wrapping the apparatus around the gripping area.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the outer layer and the backing have a plurality of spaced apart markings, the method further comprising: cutting along at least one of the plurality of the spaced apart markings thereby sizing the apparatus to fit the gripping area of the implement.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the base layer, the middle layer, and the outer layer are arranged as a flexible sheath, wherein applying the apparatus to the implement comprises: sliding the sheath over an end and onto a gripping area of the implement. 